Truck bolster



T. H, sYMlNG-roN 1,844,022

TRUCK BOLSTER Filed Jan. 25'. 1927 5 Sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 9, 1932 lllllIl l l l l lil! 5Feb. 9, 1932. T. H. sYMlNGTON l TRUCK BoLsTER FiledJan. 25. 1927 s sheets-*sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1932. T. w sYMlNGToN TRUCKBOLSTER Filed Jan.A 25. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 9, 1932stares mm#este THOMAS n. sw invasion, on BALTIMORE, MARYLAND,assreinonmo T. rr; -sYMINGToN & son, INC., or JsALTMoRE7 MARYLAND, eoonronarron; on MARYLAND Y TRUCK Bonsmnca Application filed January 25,1927. Serial No. 163,3173.

r)She invention relates to truck bolsters forming` part of railway cartrucks.

VThe principal. object of the invention, generally stated, is to providean improved truck ffbolster having side bearings so related to the otherparts and so arranged with respect thereto that the normal Weight of thecar is sustained at the center bearing, the side bearings functioning ina Well known manner t0 take the pressure and withstand and distrib-` utethe forces incident to any tendency of the body bolster to rock withrespect to the truck bolster, the structure consequently operating toreduce car roll and prevent side sway.

An important object of lthe' invention is to provide a truck bolsterhaving` side bearings which eoact with the truck and body bolstersV of aroller type so mounted as to adjust them-V selves automatically tovariations in the slope inclination of the bearing' surfaces on thetruck and body holsters. if Another object of the invention is to pro.`vide a truclrbolster equipped With side bearrollers and provided withspringmeans for normally maintaining the rollersin centered'relation and returning them to. such poisition after sivivelling movement ofthetruck and body holsters there being consequently an absence of anynecessity for providing centering tcotn or the like as is thepracticeiin some instances. Y v I f s A more specific object oftheinvention is to provide a truck bolster having` pockets near l its endsfor the reception of the side bearing rollers7 i't being consequentlypossible to eniploy rollers of larger diameter'than ordi-V narily,'suclrlarger rollers naturally having greater strengtl and rolling;l morefreely than small ones. y

Still another object of thev invention is to trovi e menus for taking`np the outward end thrust of the side be Jing rollers`r and other meansfor takin up play between the side di bearings and the'be'aringlelements depending from the body bolster as miigrht'resultfrom Weardeveloping after prolonged use.

Yet another object' ofthe invention is to provide'a .truclr'bolsterwhich maybe provided in its ends with shock-absorption spring mechanismoperating in vseries With the truck springs or( which may beunprovidedWith such, but which is' in either instance constructed generally'alongstandard lines so as to be'fcapable of employment Vas a replacementbolster to be Vinstalled in a truck Without'involvingV any changes inthe' construc-` tion-of any of the parts thereof.' Y I .Anotherimportant-object of thel invention is the provision of auxiliaryspringsWorking in series-With'the existing;v truck` springs and givingincreasedv spring'travel which is neces-'- sary When cars arerunWithout* sidebearing clearances, Y f

' Ari additional fobject'of the' invention is to providea bolsterconstruction of this charac'- ter and'embo'dying these advantageousfeatures but which will at the` same time be simple and inexpensivetomake, asseinbleand install, positive in; actiomeflicient and durable inservice7 Vand' a .general improvement in the W'ith the above and otherobjects and ad-l vantages in view, the invention' preferably consists inthe detailedconstruction and the arrangement and combination of parts tobe hereinafter more 'fully described and claimed, and illustrated vinthe accompanying drawings invvhichf' y l t l Figure l is verticallongitudinal sectional *8(7) vievv through one end of a bolsterconstructed in; accordance Withthe invention; y Y' Figure?, is. atopplan View thereof, Y Y

l Figure 3 isa vertical cross section one half thereof"beingl taken onthe line 3-3 `and the other half being taken `on the line 3ft-,3? ofFigurel,.

'Figure 4 is a detail cross section takenon the line 4-4of Figure 1, andY Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating slightmodifications.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 designates thebolster which is or may be of the same general construction in point ofcontour, etc. as those of standard pattern and which is provided with acenter bearing 2 receiving the center plate 3 carried by the bodybolster 4 Which is also equipped with a side bearing element 5. Thebolster 1n is provided. at each side of its center with an upstandingweb 6 beneath that portion where the center bearing is located',` this'being-1 for.' reinforcing' purposes; and at each end the bolsterfisformed.' with a reduced extension 7 mounted within the window open ingof the side frame 8 in the usual manner..

Each extending portion 7 may, if desired), be provided with a pocket 9*Within whicli is mounted a combinedspring seat. and follower 1 0resting. uponl'the4 truck. springs illustrated diagrammatifcally aty 11this combined seat andr follower carrying a group or groups of plate'or.leaf.- springs 12 havingtheir ends engaging against the topV ofthepocket and operating. in series with the truck. springs 11 inamannersetforthinmy co-pending application SerialNo.- l'yfiled March 22,192?.The provision of the auxiliary spring. mechanism is importantinasmuclias it will provide or give increased spring travel which. is necessarywhen cars are l run- Without side bearing clearances,` as will. beunderstood'.

Inl carrying. out thje present invention the' topl of the bolster'l islformed near each end'` and. inwardly of each extensionv 7 with` apoeket13-having a wall14 which is-cu-rved; at least in one direction and whichis preferably parti ally cylindrical, the curvature'l being1ongitudinally ofthebolster.. A-t the inner edge of each pocket 13r ispreferably, though not necessarily,- providect a slight overhangl 1-5which= willconstitute retaining'means for one or more shims 116 locatedupon the wall or bearing. surface 14; the-number of shifms useddepending upon circumstances. The pocket 13 hasfitsbottom formedatits-outermost portion with a flat bearing surface 17 for a purpesek tobe described ,'lh'e top of the bolster is preferably formedv witlr. an.upstand-ing flange 18 having, in-thisform ofthe invention,- a vertical.face 19 and this flange is preferably reinforced by bracing webs120.

lylounted within. the pocket 13` uponthe shi-ms therein is a bearing`member v21 having a flat top surface 22` andi a curved lower surfacecorresponding to the curvature ofthe pocket wall 14 and' consequentlycapable of movin g'about on. th'eshims, this'b'earing member beingnecessarily of less widthor length than the' pocket to` permit thisaction. Engaged in turn upon the bearing member'21`1 is a roller 23preferably of conical shape' and adapted to rol l upon' the"beariiigmember 21` during swivelling movement of the truck and bodyholsters. This roller conformingly engages against the flat top surface22 of the bearing member 21 and is adapted to engage against the flatbottom surface 2a of a wear plate 25 lmounted on the underside of thebearing element 5 which depends from the body bolster. Gbviously7 thewear plate 25 may be omitted in which event the roller would operatedirectly against the bearing element 5. Under normal circumstances itisintendedfthat the roller 23 be spaced slightly fro'mthebe'aring'member 5 or its wear plate 25, the normal load beingsustained by the center bearing: and the side bearing rollers cominginto'play only when there is any tendency of the body bolster to rockvertically. Itiwillbe noted that the bearing member 21 is incapable ofshifting transversely of the bolster but' can move. longitudinallythereof upon the shims in the pocket so as to permit the surface 22 toaccommodate itself to the position ofthe roller, the roller in turnbeing able to accommodate itselfl so as to contact properly with thewear plate 25 or bearing member 5, In this way line contacts areinsuredl whereas otherwise strains might come uponthe forwardor rearedges of the roller.

Obviously, there is bound to' occur an end thrust on, the side bearingrollers tending toforce them outwardly and for this reason I haveprovided thrust bearing members 26, one for each roller, each' beinglocated be tween the roller and the upstanding flange 19 on the bolsterand bearing flatly against the latter. To maintain the thrust bearing inproper relation to the roller, the lattei` is preferablyY formed with arecess 2T receiving` the former. lt is also' advisable to formor'otherwise provide the thrust bearing member with leg portions orbearing feet 2d slidably mounted along and` upon. the flat surfacelT atthe outer end of the pocket as clearly indicated in Figures 1 and 3. Itis also preferable that' the entire end thrust bearing` be constructedof a material softer than that from which the bolster is made so as totake the wear, it being. clear that whenever the size of the bearingbecomes reduced to an excessive eXtent the worn one may be replaced bya' new one.-

Another feature of the invention is the provisioirof means for normallymaintaining tlie rollers centered and for returning them tonormal or'intermediate position after swifvelling movement of the bolsters. lncarrying out this feature I prefer to employ a spring 29 of anypreferred type mounted upon the top of the bolster and having one arm 30suitably connected with the roller 23 as for instance by passing througha bush-- ing: 31. in the center thereof. Of course there are twosprings. one for each roller, and equally apparent that some means mustbe provided for mounting them upon the bolster. While this'might be donein various Ways each side of tlie'lange defining the cen ter bearing 2is'here disclosed ashaving a socket 32 receivingthe inner end Ao'fthespring, spaced iipstandingy Webs 33 'being t provided on the top of thebolster adjacent tliesocket for receivingy the spring betvveen them andholding itfirmly. As mentioned above, the spring might be of anypreferred' forni but in ltlie present instance itis Vrepresented, forpurposes of. illustration only, as

having af coiled intermediate portion 34 which Will provide thenecessary resilience. The spring may be additionallyy retained in placeby arcuate flanges 35 located at opposite sides of the coiled'portion31lsis-clearly shown in Figure 2, this' being, hoi'vever, a

standing flanges 36rand 37, the latter corre! spending tothe flange 19-ofthe lirst form and: being lidentical therewith except jtliatlits'thrust receiving. face 38 isinclined upwardly andoutivardly instead ofbeingf vertical. In

this Vform the flange '36 vperforms ithe same. function as' the overhangl5 in the first form;`

In other respects this lmodifieation 'issubstane tially the saine asthe' first described'form.

vIn the operation it'Will of course be vseen thatunder normalcircumstances the load is sustainedat the center bearing and it will bedie;

equally clear that when anyvertical rocking movement of the body bolsterwith' respect to the truck bolster voccurs one or theother of the sidebearing elements-5 Will engage against the adjacentroller`23 Whicliivillcon? sequently `transmit the Iload to the vbolster near the end portionthereof.v `rIliisivill ob'-Y viously prevent the'developinentof car*roll and side svvay.V rIlie feature of fthe'niovability of the rollersupporting bearings already been described and a repetition thereofV isunnecessary. v After sWivelling"movenient Ythe rollers are returned totheir normal or intermediate positions by `virtueof the springs providedfor the. purpose. `4It is real ly believed that the construction,operation and advantages will be readily apparent. to one skilled in theart Without further explanation. f

llVhile I have shown andl described preferred embodiments of theinvention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely anexemplification of the. principles involved as the right is reserved tomake all such changes in the details of construction as Will Wide thefield of utility and increase the adaptability of the device providedsucli changes constitute no departure from vthe spirit ofthe inventionrorthe scope of the claims hereuntoappended;

'Having thusy described the invention, I

be engaged by saidside bearing elements,

springs connected with the rollers for normally maintaining them incentered relation andfor returningthem to neutral' position afterrelative'. s Wivelling movement of. the.

holsters, said springs having their outer ends extendingjournally-througli the rollers and having their innerends anchoredtothel truck bolster at opposite-sides-of the center bearl* ing thereon,and .brace means on the-bolster coacting with the springs inspacedrelation. tothe anchored ends .thereof and the rollers 2'. Incombination With a body bolster havinga center plate and` side bearingele-f ments thereon, a truclrbolsterhaving a center bearing for thecenter plate and provided near its ends Withypoclrets, rollers mountedvWithin the pockets and adapted to be engaged by said side bearingelements, spring means l Vconnected With the rollers for normallymaintaining."themy in centered relation and-for returning lvthem toneutral position afterielan Url tive swivelling movement ofthe holsters5said i springs having their outer endsfeXtendin-g journally through therollers yand having :their inner ends anchored to the truck bolster atopposite sides v:of the center bearing thereon, the anchoring meansincluding so'clrets formed in the upper portion ofthe bolster receivingthe inner ends'of the springs, and spaced upstanding vvebsj formed onthe top vofthe bolster adjacent tliesockets receiving the springsbetvveen'them.l` 1 1 f 3;'In combination with a body bolster' having acenterplateand side bearing elements thereon, a truck bolster having acenter bearing Yfor the center plate and provided nearits ends Withpockets, rollers-mounted vWithinthe pockets and adaptedto be engaged Vbysaid side bearing elements, spring means connected with the rollers fornormally maintaining thein in centered relation and for returning themto neutral position after relative swivelling movement of the holsters,said springs havingl their outer ends extending. journally through therollers and havingtheir inner ends anchored tothe truck bolster atopposite sides 'of the center bearing thereon, the anchoring meansincluding sockets receiving the inner ends of the springs, spacedupstanding Webs adjacent the sockets receiving the springs between them,the springs having coiled' intermediate portions, and curved ilangesrising from the truck bolster at opposite sides of-and receivingsaidcoiled portions of thesprings.

4. In combination lyvvithv 1.a )body bolster having 'a center plate anddepending side bearing elements, a truck bolster havingA a centerbearing receiving the center .plate and formed near its'ends Withpockets each having a curved bottom, -a `bea-ring member Within eachpocket vhaving` acurved bottomsurface conforming to that 'of the pocketand having a'ialt top surface,fa tapered rollerseated upon cach lof saidbearing members and 'located beneath and adapted to be engaged by theside bearing elements depending from the body bolster, the curvedcoacting surfaces of the pocket. Aand the bearing member thereinpermitting movement ofthe latter to accommodate itself for insuring linecontact of the roller With its top surface and-With the depending side`bearingelementgcarried by the body bolster, in combination with aspring anchoredat one end to the bolsterand `having its vother endjournally engaging'each roller, and thrust means ateachpocket'cooperating with the outer lend ofthe roller.

5. In combination with a body bolster having a center vplate anddepending' side bearing elements,` truck bolster having Va centerbearing receiving the center `plate and formed near its ends withpockets, each pocket having va curved portion :anda fiat area, anupstanding thrust receiving flange f on the top of the bolster at theyouter end of each pocket, a bearing member Within each pocket having acurved surface coacting With the curved portion thereof, a roller 'oneach bearing member located beneath andadapted to be engaged b v theside bearing element depending from the body bolstenand an end thrustmember located between 'the outer end of each roller and theupstandingthrust re'- ceiving flange and having portions slidable.

along said fla-t area;

6. In combination with abody bolster having a center plate and dependingside bearing elements, a truck bolster having a center bearing receivingthe center plate and TJformed near its ends With pockets, each pockethaving a curved portion-and a vflat area, an upstanding thrust receivingflange on the top of the 'bolster at the outer end of each pocket, avbearing member Within each pocket vhaving a curved surface coactingWiththe curved portion thereof, a roller on each bearing member locatedbeneath and adapted to be engaged by the side bearingelement dependingfrom the body bolster, and an end thrust member located betvveen theouter end of each roller and the upstanding thrust receiving flange andhaving portions slidable along said flat area, the outer end vof theroller having a recess partially receiving said end thrust member formaintaining the same assembled With respect to the roller.

7. In combination with a body bolster having a center plate anddepending side bearing elements, a truck bolster havinga center bearingreceiving the center plate and formed nee-1,022

near its ends With pockets, each pocket having a curved portion and aflat area, an upstanding thrust receiving flange on the -top o-f thebolster at the outerlend of each pocket, a bearing member Within eachpocket 'having a curved surface coacting With the curved portionthereof, a roller on each bearing member located beneath and adapted tobe engaged Aby the side bearing element depending from the body bolster,an end thrust member located 'between the outer end of each roller andthe upstanding thrust receivingv ilange and having portions slidablealong said ila-t area, and curved shims located betiveen the curvedportion of the pocket and the bearing member therein for taking up Wearand effecting adjustment of the roller With respect to the side bearingelementdepe'nding from the body bolster.

8. In combination with a body bolster having 'a center plate and sidebearing elements thereon, atruck bolster 'having a center bearing forthe center plate and provided near its-ends VWith pockets, rollersmounted within the .pockets and adapted to cooperate with said sidebearing elements, springs for maintaining the rollers normally incentered relation, said springs having their outer ends extendingjournally through the rollers and having their innerfends anchored tothe truck bolster, the anchoring means including sock-- ets formed inthe outer portion of the center bearing for receiving the inner ends ofthe springs, and spaced upstanding webs on the top of the bolsteradjacent the center bearing defining grooves accommodating the springsadjacent the inner ends thereof.

49. In combination with a body bolster having a center plate and sidebearing elements, a truck bolster having a center bearing for the centerplate and provided near its ends With pockets, rollers mounted Withinthe pockets for 'cooperation with said side bearing elements, vspringmeans connected with the rollers for `Anormally maintaining them incentered relation and for returning them to central or neutral positionafter ,relative sivivelling movement of the bolsters, said springshaving their outer ends extending journally through the rollers,anchoring means including sockets receiving the inner ends of theVsprings, the springs having coiled intermediate portions, and bracingmeans on the bolster cooperating with said coiled intermediate portions.

10. In combination With a body bolster having a center plate anddepending side bearing elements, a truck bolster having a center bearingreceiving the center plate and formed near its ends with pockets, anupsta'nding thrust receiving flange on the top of the bolster at theouter end of each pocket, a roller within each pocket cooperating withthe side bearing element thereab'ove, and an end thrust member locatedbetween the outer end of each roller and the-upstanding thrust receivingflange. Y a l1. In combination with a body bolster having a center plateand depending side bearing elements, a truck bolster-havingy a centerbearing receiving the center plate and formed near its ends withpockets, an upstanding thrust receiving flange on the top 'l0 of thebolster at the outer end oi'each pocket, a roller Within each pocketcooperating with the side bearing element thereabove, an end thrust'member located between the outer end of each roller and the upstandingthrust receiving flange, a guide surface inwardly of each flange, andmeans on each thrust member slidable along said guide surface.

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS H. SYMINGTON.

